Let’s talk about a guy that at the beginning of the season really wasn’t on many people’s radar. A guy that was just getting back from Tommy John surgery at the end of 2023, went undrafted, and has completely changed the trajectory of his career in a matter of one full season of professional baseball. I’m talking about Daniel Brooks, a 6’7” right-handed pitcher out of the College of Charleston.
After starting off the season in the Flordida Complex League, Brooks was promoted to Single-A Augusta, he was lights out, throwing 27.2 innings and giving up only three runs, two of those being earned runs. He also posted a K/9 of 15 during his time in Augusta, which shows just how difficult it was for opponents to make solid contact against him.
What’s interesting about the start of Brooks professional career is that he wasn’t even starting games. They were using him out of the bullpen for his first 12 appearances in Augusta stretching out his pitch count each time to eventually move him to a starter role.
His first start in Augusta would be his last in a GreenJackets uniform. He absolutely dominated striking out 10 batters with 17 whiffs and giving up only three hits during his 5 inning performance. This was impressive given that he’s still on a strict pitch count. That game he was rewarded with an immediate promotion to High-A Rome.
He hasn’t slowed down since getting there either. He’s had two starts totaling 8.1 innings, has only given up three hits, and has only walked one batter. I’m really interested to see how dominant his stat line will be once he can get his pitch count up to 80-90 pitches. As of right now his highest was during his most previous game throwing 60 pitches. If he can continue to miss bats and limit hard contact while throwing more pitches it can get really interesting.
What could be one of the most impressive things about his performance is that he’s really only doing this with two pitches, his fastball and slider. Because of his size he’s able to get incredible extension when he pitches and his fastball that sits 92-94 plays up and makes it very difficult for batters to pick it up. Both pitches have generated a ton of swing and miss and his command has been phenomenal. He works the zone really well and doesn’t miss his spots.
I don’t see Brooks being in Rome by the end of the season. The Braves have been moving pitchers fast this year, and with the way he continues to dominate, I could see him in Columbus very soon. Daniel Brooks is resilient. He didn’t stop after getting injured, he didn’t stop after not hearing his name get called during the draft, he kept grinding and working to get a chance and it’s paid off huge for him so far! Some people have that dawg in em to be able to go what he’s been through. And DB definitely has that dawg in him!
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